University of New Mexico

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Sahara meteorite dated to 4.1 billion years, sampling ancient Martian crust

Researchers contributed microbeam analyses and zircon dating

Of roughly 435 known Martian meteorites, almost all formed within the last 2.4 billion years. Teghaza 001, 798.5 grams of rock picked up in the Sahara in Mali in 2022, crystallized at least 4.1 billion years ago. Most of the mass is now held by the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum.

Updated Oct 31

Ancient DNA ties Maya cave teeth to faraway elite tombs

New Capabilities

Led excavation of Bats'ub Cave and Muklebal Tzul

A Maya woman buried in a Belize cave between 250 and 400 CE had 226 human teeth scattered around her pelvis and spine. Ancient DNA analysis reported October 23 traced the teeth to at least 30 people, 24 of them also buried in elite tombs more than 26 kilometers away.

Updated Oct 25